When I started working on Forsaken House, I knew that I wanted an elf protagonist, since the whole series was supposed to be about elves. And more specifically I wanted a sun elf protagonist, because I sort of wanted to "rehabilitate" sun elves a bit. They've come off as more lawful evil than chaotic good in a lot of the material we've done about elves.

Oh!!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

You're the King, Rich: I've hoped for a long time that an FR author would tackle this erroneous image the literature sun elves have been displaying. A million thanks!

This is DEFINATELY not the place to get into an argument over Ann Rand and her rather extreme philosophy, so I'm not going to touch it.

That said, I wanted to voice agreement with the first half of that post. I'm really glad that the sun elves are getting some "hero" treatment, in addition to their "non-drow elven villian" treatment. I think both are needed, and we haven't been seeing much of the first view.

Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...Sigh... And now 4e as well.

Maybe we were talking about two different persons? The "Ayn" Rand I was referring to does not strike me as someone "extreme"... (philosophical, yes... extreme, doubtful... unless you care to elaborate?)

This question may have been asked before so I apologize in advance. My curiosity was piqued from another thread and now I have to know. Years ago Mystra banned 10th level spells (back in 2E) and now that we're into 3E and Epic spells does this ban still apply? There are spells of Epic level in the PGtF so I would assume that this ban is now lifted? What's going on?

Ayn Rand and Ann Rand are the same person (well, at least as I was referring to them. I'm sure there are other Ann Rands out there). She changed her name from Ann to Ayn (or at least that's what I remember from English class). And I would call any philosophy that advocates doing whatever you have to do to others just to advance yourself both extreme and rather ugly.

But that's all I want to say on this subject. I'd much rather talk about books I like.

PS: Just finished Forsaken House, and it's a really good read. Just one question: what happened to Sarya's psionicist son?

Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...Sigh... And now 4e as well.

And I would call any philosophy that advocates doing whatever you have to do to others just to advance yourself both extreme and rather ugly.

Hmm... you seem more solid than me on this subject. I don't know her that much except for having read "Atlas Shrugged," which I found somewhat refreshing and encouraging as a nerd with high hopes of one day, contributing to the betterment of this world. It's a good example of planning and developing a strategy for a business idea one may have: it basically shows that one should take action when they have the smarts to succeed... too many friends and relatives I know shortchange themselves on a regular basis and end up trading their dreams for small desires.

What a book! You've really created some memorable (and hopefully long-lasting) characters. I especially enjoyed Maresa, what prompted you to use a genasi? As cool as they are, they get little treatment in the novels. Also, I had really hoped that Grayth had access to the Renewal domain of Lathander, I really hated to see him go.

War to slay, not to fight long and glorious.Aermhar of the TangletreesYear of the Hooded Falcon

So I started Forsaken City yesterday (against my better judgement because I had to many things going on.) I don't really want to reread the first 5 chapters over, but I feel almost like I missed something.

The back of Forsaken House states Araevin is from Evereska, but everything I've read (the first 70something pages) leads me to think he's from Evermeet. Did I overlook something or is the back of the book a misprint?

"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy.

quote:Originally posted by SirUrzaThe back of Forsaken House states Araevin is from Evereska, but everything I've read (the first 70something pages) leads me to think he's from Evermeet. Did I overlook something or is the back of the book a misprint?

I think that's a misprint. He's clearly as you have found out in the novel from Evermeet. His fiance also needs to put a bell around his neck to keep track of him.

I think that's a misprint. He's clearly as you have found out in the novel from Evermeet. His fiance also needs to put a bell around his neck to keep track of him.

Yes, that I found out too.

Well I'm glad I didn't misread anything and that the back cover was botched. Just 1 inaccuracy that everyone involved in final production completely overlooked. Makes me wonder if the person incharge of the cover et al actually read the novel. :)

"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy.

Forsaken House's cover nearly makes me grind my teeth whenever I see it... Have you seen the size of Araevin's (I assume it's Araevin) arms and fingers? His arms are way too muscled, and his fingers have the thickness of a dwarf's. Not only is he an elf, but he's a mage, who don't tend toward physical exercise overmuch. And there's no hint in the book that he's got a bodybuilder fetish.

Oh, and Mr. Baker, have you thought about publishing certain characters' stats in Dragon Magazine? I know I'd like to see the full stats of Araevin, Ilsevele, Seiveril, Sarya and Fflar.

quote:Originally posted by KrafusOh, and Mr. Baker, have you thought about publishing certain characters' stats in Dragon Magazine? I know I'd like to see the full stats of Araevin, Ilsevele, Seiveril, Sarya and Fflar.

I'd love to second that request and move this motion towards a vote. What's that? There is no voting when it comes to art

In general, I have nothing to do with the cover they give me. Sometimes I get great ones (Condemnation springs to mind), sometimes I get, well, not-quite-so-great ones. I'm actually pretty happy with the Last Mythal covers, but mostly because I like the white jacket color and title arrangement. It makes 'em pop off the shelf, you can pick out Forsaken House in the middle of a big pile of other WotC books.

I'd like to do that article with the character stats sometime, it's just a matter of when. Maybe I'll find some time for it in a few months. Right now I'm busy with finishing up Farthest Reach and D&D for Dummies, then I have a story to write for Realms of the Elves, then I need to get crackin' on Final Gate so that I'm not stuck writing the book in the middle of the summer... because I've found that I just *hate* spending summer weekends sitting at my desk and writing.

quote:Originally posted by Krafus

Forsaken House's cover nearly makes me grind my teeth whenever I see it... Have you seen the size of Araevin's (I assume it's Araevin) arms and fingers? His arms are way too muscled, and his fingers have the thickness of a dwarf's. Not only is he an elf, but he's a mage, who don't tend toward physical exercise overmuch. And there's no hint in the book that he's got a bodybuilder fetish.

Oh, and Mr. Baker, have you thought about publishing certain characters' stats in Dragon Magazine? I know I'd like to see the full stats of Araevin, Ilsevele, Seiveril, Sarya and Fflar.

In general, I have nothing to do with the cover they give me. Sometimes I get great ones (Condemnation springs to mind), sometimes I get, well, not-quite-so-great ones. I'm actually pretty happy with the Last Mythal covers, but mostly because I like the white jacket color and title arrangement. It makes 'em pop off the shelf, you can pick out Forsaken House in the middle of a big pile of other WotC books.

I'd like to do that article with the character stats sometime, it's just a matter of when. Maybe I'll find some time for it in a few months. Right now I'm busy with finishing up Farthest Reach and D&D for Dummies, then I have a story to write for Realms of the Elves, then I need to get crackin' on Final Gate so that I'm not stuck writing the book in the middle of the summer... because I've found that I just *hate* spending summer weekends sitting at my desk and writing.

quote:Originally posted by Krafus

Forsaken House's cover nearly makes me grind my teeth whenever I see it... Have you seen the size of Araevin's (I assume it's Araevin) arms and fingers? His arms are way too muscled, and his fingers have the thickness of a dwarf's. Not only is he an elf, but he's a mage, who don't tend toward physical exercise overmuch. And there's no hint in the book that he's got a bodybuilder fetish.

Oh, and Mr. Baker, have you thought about publishing certain characters' stats in Dragon Magazine? I know I'd like to see the full stats of Araevin, Ilsevele, Seiveril, Sarya and Fflar.

I for one loved the Forsaken House cover... the tensed muscles *could* have something to do with the fact that he was MIND-CONTROLLED and actively DOMINATED by the big bad Fey'ri lady!

Anyhow, yes: please keep the white covers as I have a low Spot modifier... I love to see them "jump at me"... As for the actual quality of the cover art, I personally liked it very much, as it is reminiscent of the PGtoF and MoF covers (I love those half-blurred oil paintings... same with the FR DM screen... it adds an antique feel to the Realms that "jives" with me, brothas!)

Knock on wood!!! as long as you don't put anime-style characters as part of the FR art, I'm fine (death to certain "planetouched" pictures in Races of Faerun!!)

Almost done with Forsaken House and I must say that this is absolutely one of the best FR books I have read! Congratulations on such a fine story! I hope they decide to release this series in hardback some day so that I can proudly display it on my mantle next to my War of the Spider Queen books.